Heading into Round 8 of the MX1 World Championship in France this weekend, Yamaha Monster Energy racer, Josh Coppins, seemedconfident that he could capitalize on a strong result to keep himself in the hunt for the MX1 title, however the Kiwi left Ernee a little disillusioned but still fourth in the MX1 points chase.

In Saturday’s qualifying race Coppins was quick out the gate, only just missing out on the hole-shot as the pack rounded the first corner. As ever, the pace was very fast out front, and with a solid ride ‘Lizzard’ qualified in 4th position to give a great gate pick for the French Grand Prix.

On Sunday morning a torrential shower drenched the hard pack Ernee circuit as the first MX1 moto lined up on the gates. When the gate dropped ‘Lizzard’ was fairly quick of the mark as he powered his black Yamaha YZ450FM around the opening lap. Settling into 6th position early in the race and riding very smooth throughout, Coppins finished the opening moto in 6th position.

The 2nd moto was a better start for the Kiwi as he headed through the first corner in 4th position. With a tight battle up front throughout the entire 35 minute and 2 lap race, Coppins defended his fourth place until ten minutes was left on the clock. He finally lost his battle to Cairoli, Philippaerts and Desalle to cross the line in 7th position, giving him a 6th overall for the day.

"I got tired and didn't have any power at the end; there was nothing left in the tank. I still have the same problem as the last few GPs and I am not sure why because my strength is normally my strong point. So I am struggling a little bit at the moment and need to get it fixed." admitted the disappointed Kiwi.

Coppins will head back to Belgium for a round of the Belgian MX champs next weekend at the former GP circuit of Kester, before trekking to east to Germany for round 9 of 15 in the FIM MX World championship series in Teutschenthal the following week.

Race results:

MX1 Race 1
1 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
2 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
3 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
4 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
5 Pichon, Mickael FRA Honda
6 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
7 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
8 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha
9 Leok, Aigar EST TM
10 Church, Tom GBR CCM
11 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia
12 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki
13 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki
14 Bill, Julien SUI Aprilia
15 Aranda, Gregory FRA Kawasaki

MX1 Race 2
1 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
2 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
3 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha
4 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
5 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda
6 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
7 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
8 Leok, Aigar EST TM
9 Pichon, Mickael FRA Honda
10 Dougan, Jason GBR CCM
11 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia
12 Bill, Julien SUI Aprilia
13 Church, Tom GBR CCM
14 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki
15 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki

MX1 GP Overall
1 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM 50
2 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha 40
3 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha 36
4 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha 33
5 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda 33
6 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha 29
7 Pichon, Mickael FRA Honda 28
8 Leok, Aigar EST TM 25
9 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia 20
10 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki 20
11 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda 19
12 Church, Tom GBR CCM 19
13 Bill, Julien SUI Aprilia 16
14 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki 16
15 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki 14

MX1 World championship standings:
1 Cairoli, A. ITA 291
2 Philippaerts, D. ITA 261
3 Nagl, M. GER 248
4 Coppins, J. NZL 238
5 Desalle, C. BEL 237
6 de Dycker, Ken BEL 228
7 Leok, Tanel EST 223
8 Barragan, J. ESP 215
9 Swanepoel, G. RSA 120
10 Leok, Aigar EST 118
11 Vuillemin, D. FRA 117
12 Mackenzie, B. GBR 103
13 Ramon, Steve BEL 100
14 Strijbos, K. BEL 82
15 Aranda, G. FRA 80